Sliver coiler



June 11, 1968 J. R. CALDWELL ETAL 3,387,340

SLIVER COILER Filed Oct. 3, 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS JOHN R CALDWELL BY CARY H HA L ATTORNEY June 11, 1968 J. R. CALDWELL ETAL 3,387,340

SLIVER COILER Filed Oct. 5. 1966 5 Sheets$heet 2 INVENTORI JOHN R CALDWELL y CARY H. HALL ZIQZLW ATTORNEY June 1968 J. R. CALDWELL ETAL 3,387,340

SLIVER COILER Filed Oct. 5, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 N 0 IO o co o m N m q S! INVENTORS JOHN R. CALDWELL BY CAR) H. HALL ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,387,340 SLIVER COILER John R. flaldwell and Cary H. Hall, Hampton, Ga, as-

signors by mesne assignments, to Gunter & Cooke, Inc., a corporation of North (Iarolina Filed Oct. 3, 1966, Ser. No. 583,890 9 Claims. (Cl. 19-159) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A sliver coiler comprising a first driven element rotatably mounted in the coiler spectacle, a second driven element mounted for rotation in the first driven element about an axis offset from the axis of rotation of the first driven element, and a coupling adapter for operatively connecting the second driven element in driving relation to the coiler main drive, the coupling adapter comprising a plurality of pulleys mounted on pedestals fixed to the first driven element and driving belt means interconnecting the coiler main drive, the pulleys and the second driven element to impart positive driving force to the latter irrespective of the relative position thereof with respect to the main coiler drive.

This invention relates to sliver coilers and more particularly to an improved coiler head wherein all coiling operations are performed and the sliver then deposited in a can which is fixed in position below the coiler head but which does not rotate as in conventional coilers.

The trend toward high speed card operation and the accompanying trend towards larger and larger sliver cans has resulted in cans of such substantial weight that dofiing a fully loaded can from a coiler is virtually impossible due to the weight of the can. Since the weight of the can virtually precludes doffing in the normal fashion, this invention contemplates positioning the can correctly beneath the coiler head and the performance of all coiling motions by elements mounted in the head and by this means to avoid the necessity for having a conventional coiler base together with the difiiculties which attend such structure.

A principal object of this invention is to provide an improved coiler wherein all coiling operations are performed in the head of the coiler and wherein the conventional coiler base is eliminated.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved coiler which is specially adapted for use in conjunction with coiler cans of large diameter and which is characterized by simplicity of construction and reliability of operation.

The invention in one form as applied to a sliver coiler comprises driving means, a first driven element operably related with the driving means and rotatable thereby, a second driven element rotatably mounted on said first driven element and whose axis of rotation is ofiset relative to the axis of rotation of the first driven element, coupling adapter means movable in coordination with bodily movement of said second driven element relative to said driving means, and coupling means operably related with said driving means with said second driven element and with said coupling adapter means so that positive driving force is imparted to said second driven element irrespective of the position thereof relative to said driving means. In accordance with one facet of the invention, coupling control means is provided whereby the operative relationship between the driving means and said second driven element is constantly maintained irrespective of the relative positions thereof.

For a better understanding of the invention reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in er: ce

conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein FIG. 1 is a side view of a sliver coiler constructed according to the invention; FIG. 2 is a plan view of the structure depicted in FIG. 1 and taken substantially along the line designated 2--2 in FIG. 1 but with the cover portion removed and with the second driven element corresponding to the conventional tube gear being shown in a position remote from the driving means; FIG. 3 is a view corresponding generally to FIG. 2 but in which the second driven element is shown in the position which it occupies when closest to the driving means; and in which FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the coiler head taken substantially along the line designated 4--4 in FIG. 3.

With reference to the drawings, the numeral 1 generally designates a coiler head which is mounted on an upright column genera-11y designated by the numeral 2. Column 2 is supported on suitable base structure generally designated by the numeral 3 and a sliver can generally designated by the numeral 4 is shown in its service position. The sliver can 3 is maintained in the correct position underneath the coiler head 1 by suitable means such for example as strap 5 which encircles the can 5 and the column 2. As is well known sliver from an associated card is fed into the coiler head 1 via any suitable means such as the conventional trumpet designated by the numeral 6. Elements mounted in the head manipulate the sliver fed through trumpet 6 in such fashion that the sliver is coiled in a conventional pattern within the can 4 as it is discharged from the bottom portion of the head 1.

As is well known, a proper coiling operation may be elfected by a tube gear rotatably mounted in the head and arranged with an eccentrically disposed discharge outlet through which sliver is fed into the can, the can being itself rotated about its central vertical axis. By this invention the can is maintained in fixed position underneath the head and both coiling operations are performed by units mounted in the head.

More specifically the head of a coiler constructed according to this invention comprises a first driven element designated by the numeral 7, driven element 7 being rotatably mounted in spectacle 8 which in turn is fixedly secured by suitable means such as bolts 9 to the vertical colum 2 or to bracket 10 mounted atop the column 2. Of course spectable 8 is fixed in position atop the column 2.

For the purpose of minimizing friction between the first driven element 7 and spectable 8, a suitable low friction element designated in the drawings by the numeral 11 is mounted in a groove 12 formed in spectable 8 and cooperates with a similar groove 13 formed in the lower surface of the first driven element 7. The element 11 may take the form of :a nylon ring if desired.

For the purpose of imparting rotary movement to the first driven element 7, a belt 14 is coupled with a driving pulley 15 associated with gear box 16. As is well known a suitable vertical shaft is mounted within the column 2 and imparts driving motion to the gear box 16 which motion in turn is imparted to the pulley 15, the belt 14 and to the first driven element 7.

From the description thus far of the first driven element 7, it will be understood that rotary motion of this elements corresponds to and takes the place of rotary motion of the can 4 in conventional coilers.

The second driven element 17 corresponds to a con 'ventional tube gear and is rotatably mounted in an eccentric fashion within an opening 18 formed in the first driven elements 7. The second driven element is thus movable bodily relative to the driving means. Thus in accordance with a main facet of this invention, means are provided whereby a positive driving force is continuously imparted to the second driven element irrespective of the position thereof relative to the driving means 16 and parts associated therewith. According to his invenion driving means 16 is operably related with the second driven element 17 by a driving pulley 19 which is operably related by means not shown with the gear box 16, and by coupling means in the form of an endless coupling element or belt 20 which rides in the groove of driving pulley 19 and which in addition rides in the topmost groove 21 formed in plate 22 secured by mounting studs 23 to a part of the second driven element 17.

If the second driven element 17 is disposed as shown in FIG. 2, the coupling element 20 is in positive direct contact with the groove 21. When the parts move so that the second driven element 17 occupies the position depicted in FIG. 3, the coupling element 20 no longer occupies a position of positive driving relationship with the groove 21 formed in plate 22. Thus in accordance with a facet of this invention, coupling adapter means are provided whereby the coupling element 20 is positively coupled at all times with the second driven element 17. Thus the coupling adapter means of this invention in one form may comprise a plurality of pedestals such as are depicted at 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28 and which are disposed about the periphery of the first driven element 7 and provided respectively with pulley elements 29-33, each pulley element in turn being provided with a pair of grooves best shown in FIG. 4 at 34 and 35. Thus the pedestals 24-28 inclusive and their associated pulleys 29-33 inclusive together with a portion of the periphery of that part of the second driven element designated as the plate 22 constitute a path which is generally concentric with the outer circular periphery of the driven element 7. Furthermore in accordance with a feature of the invention, a positive driving force is always imparted to the second driven element 17 through its associated plate 22 by means of endless driving element designated in the drawings by the numeral 36. Of course endless coupling element 36 rides in the lower groove of each of the pulleys 29-33 respectively.

From the description thus far, it is apparent that irrespective of the position of the second driven element 17 relative to the driving means 16 and parts associated therewith, a positive driving force is always imparted to the second driven element 17 through the coupling means 20 and the coupling adapter means comprising pedestals 24- 28 inclusive, their associated pulleys 29-33 inclusive, and the endless coupling element 36.

An examination of FIGS. 2 and 3 readily indicates that the tension of coupling means 20 varies as the parts move from the position depicted in FIG. 2 to that depicted in FIG. 3. In order to insure that a positive driving force is imparted to the second driven element 17 at all times, suitable coupling control means generally designated by the numeral 37 are provided. Such means may take the form of a pair of rollers 38 and 39 rotatably mounted on a bracket 40 which in turn is biased by suitable spring means 41 so as to take up any slack which may develop as the parts change their positions relative to each other.

Sliver supplied to the head 1 passes through trumpet 6 disposed in an opening formed in plate 22. Thus trumpet 6 is movable with the second driven element 17.

In order to provide a positive feeding action for sliver supplied to trumpet 6, a pair of conventional rolls such as are designated at 42 may be mounted on shafts which in turn are journalled in bearings 43 afiixed by mounting bracket 44 to the second driven element 17. A pinion in the form of a beveled or other gear 45 is affixed to the shaft associated with one of the calendar rolls 42. Thus as driven element 17 rotates, pinion 45 rolls on a gear track 46 formed about the periphery of the first driven element 7. By this means rotary motion is imparted to one of the calendar rolls 42 in known manner. To the other end of the shaft associated with one of the rolls 42, a spur gear 47 is alfixed and is coupled with a cooperating spur gear 48 aifixed to the shaft associated with the other calendar roll 42 and imparts operating movement thereto in known manner. Sliver fed from the calendar rolls 42 is discharged through an outlet opening 49 formed in the second driven element 17.

It is apparent that rotary motion imparted to both the first driven element 7 and the second driven element 17 results in coiling action whereby sliver is deposited within the can 4 in an efficient and compact pattern, such pattern being the equivalent of that formed by conventional coilers wherein the can 4 is rotated about its vertical axis.

In order to cause the rotation of the second driven element 17 to rotate with a minimum of friction, a plurality of low friction devices such as are designated at St) and 51 may be affixed to the second driven element 17 and arranged to ride in a groove 52 formed in the first driven element 7. Of course the low friction elements 51 and 52 and parts associated therewith form no part of the present invention but are simply shown and described for the sake of completeness.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, the invention is not limited thereto and it is intended in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A sliver coiler comprising driving means, a first substantially circular driven element arranged for rotation in a horizontal plane about a centrally disposed axis and operably coupled with and driven by said driving means, a second substantially circular driven element rotatably mounted on said first driven element with its center of rotation offset with respect to the center of rotation of said first driven element, means forming a part of said second driven element and defining a pair of parallel circular grooves concentric with the periphery of said second driven element, a plurality of pedestals mounted on said first driven element and each having rotatably mounted thereon a pulley and each pulley having a pair of parallel grooves, said pedestals and pulleys with a part of the periphery of said second driven element defining a path which is substantially concentric with said first driven element, coupling means operably related with said driving means and disposed to ride in one groove of each of said pulleys and of said second driven element, and an endless driving element disposed to ride in the other groove of each of said pulleys and of said second driven element.

2. A sliver coiler comprising driving means, a first driven element operably related with said driving means and operably movable thereby, a second driven element movably mounted on said first driven element and movable bodily relative to said driving means in coordination with operating movement of said first driven element, coupling adapter means mounted on said first driven element and movable in coordination with bodily movement of said second driven element relative to said driving means, and coupling means operably relating said driving means with said second driven element and with said coupling adapter means whereby positive driving force is imparted to said second driven element irrespective of the relative positions of said driving means and of said second driven element.

3. A sliver coiler according to claim 2 wherein said first driven element is substantially circular in shape and wherein said coupling adapter means comprises an endless driving element arranged for driving movement along a generally circular path which is substantially concentric relative to said first driven element, said endless driving element being operably related with said second driven element and with said coupling means.

4. A silver coiler according to claim 2 wherein said first driven element is substantially circular in shape and wherein said coupling adapter means comprises a plurality of coupling pedestals disposed about a part of the periphery of said first driven element, said pedestals and a part of said second driven element being disposed to define a generally circular path which is concentrically disposed relative to said first driven element and wherein said second driven element is eccentrically disposed relative to said first driven element.

5. A sliver coiler according to claim 2 wherein coupling control means is operably related with said coupling means and effective to maintain a positive driving relationship between said driving means and said second driven element and said coupling adapter means irrespective of the relative positions of said second driven element and said driving means.

6. A sliver coiler according to claim 3 wherein said coupling adapter means comprises a plurality of pulleys rotatably mounted on said pedestals respectively and wherein each pulley cooperates directly with said coupling means intermittently and with said endless driving element continuously.

7. A sliver coiler according to claim 6 wherein said second driven element cooperates with said coupling means intermittently and with said endless driving means continuously.

8. A sliver coiler according to claim 3 wherein said coupling means comprises an endless coupling element movable in a plane which is substantially parallel to the plane of movement of said endless driving element and in close juxtaposition thereto.

- 9. A sliver coiler according to claim 2 wherein an outlet is formed in said second driven element and wherein sliver feed means is mounted on and movable with said second driven element and operable in coordination with relative movement between said first and second driven elements for positively feeding sliver from a source through said outlet.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,120,931 2/1964 Corenz 19-459 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,357,187 2/1964 France.

ROBERT R. MACKEY, Acting Primary Examiner.

IRA C. WADDEY, Assistant Examiner. 

